Teams from the NBA, MLB, and Italian soccer invested $7 million in esports team Fnatic

Fnatic, one of the biggest teams in competitive gaming, is raising $US7 million from a number of investors including the owners of traditional sports franchises the Boston Celtics, AS Roma, and the Houston Astros.

Also investing in the team is Jim Pallotta’s Raptor Group and the head of MIT’s Media Lab Joi Ito.

Sam Matthews, founder of Fnatic said in a statement: “There has been strong growth in esports, which has accelerated in recent years, but the major shift has been in the acceptance and inclusion by sports franchises, media companies and high profile individuals who have entered and advanced the industry rapidly.”

A spokesperson for the team told Business Insider that Fnatic would use the investment to primarily grow its training staff, which includes coaches, analysts, and sports psychologists as well as its facilities. Red Bull, which is one of the most active brands in esports, built its own training facility in Santa Monica for its players.